Highland Wild Walks

22/11/2024

The best sort of groundhog day...with my dad, still skiing in his 80's

21/11/2024

First outing of the season on the xc skis...and for Coco to show off her lycra skin suit, the best thing I have found to stop her gathering snowballs in her fur. Open to other suggestions though!
A snow day before Christmas always feels special ❄️☃️⛷️

25/10/2024

Upto 65% off Mountain Equipment.... that'll do nicely thank you

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08/10/2024

Once or twice a year, my Mountain Leader pal Gaby and I get together for an overnight trip, usually involving some walking in the dark to maintain our night /poor visibility navigation skills.

The venue this time was 2 relatively unvisited Munros between Linn of Dee and Glen Feshie. We opted to cycle in from Linn of Dee on good tracks, taking alternative footwear for the obligatory river crossing. A lunch stop at the newly completed Red House bothy had us thinking that maybe camping at Geldie Lodge ruins wasn't the best plan....so we left our overnight gear and continued to An Sgarsoch, summiting at 16.45, and then onto Carn an Fidhleir at 18.15. The visibility was great, and the clouds were draping themselves over hill tops like lacy covers. It was dark as we descended the hill, and we had great fun maintaining a bearing over extremely rough peat hag terrain to pick up the end of the path our bikes were on. At one point, once back on the path, we turned our torches off....and saw a 'Steve'! ( A very rare phenomenon related to aurora, I didn't know what it was when I saw it but commented that I'd never seen anything like it before...I get home and there it is, reported in the news https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c4g0j7zn813o )
A very cautious cycle return on a rough track in the dark had us back at the bothy for 10pm....and it was packed! On a Monday night in October! So we scoffed some dinner, happy in the warmth of the stove and grateful for the endless supply of hot water from the enormous kettle on it, and then put our tents up outside the bothy and listened to the endless roaring of stags all night. Not much sleep had but hey, we saw a 'Steve' 😁

04/10/2024

The weather over the past fortnight has (almost) made up for the wet, windy, misty, cold, snowy summer. A day out in the Fannichs. More staggies roaring. 3 leaved cinquefoil, a new plant to me. A tiny beautiful fungus. Rocks with purple crystals (geology friends - any ideas?). And a happy client, who has really developed confidence and skill moving on steep ground.

02/10/2024

It doesn't get any better than this! An overnight camp and ascent of Suilven, a breeze to keep the midgies away, roaring stags, a burbling burn to fall asleep beside, sunshine on the summit. Not a bad day in the office

22/09/2024

Making the most of the last of this week's sunshine on Quinaig, a last minute change of venue to help my client develop skills moving on steep ground.
I love working with people to develop skills in the mountains, so if you have 'the fear' around something in the mountains, get in touch to discuss how I can help you.

Great views across to Suilven and Ben Mor Assynt, draped with cloud

21/09/2024

Ben Avon from Tomintoul....the loveliest approach to this magnificent hill. I've approached from other directions, and for various reasons not made the top, including in my younger days just finding it too intimidating. A cycle up a beautiful glen, a long and gradual ascent leading up to the plateau with its many wonderful tors, and the perfect pool for a swim.

The club misses were standing tall, and the creeping azalea thinks it is summer because the sun has finally come out.

I was very glad I'd taken my swimsuit rather than just gone for a skinny dip when 2 large military helicopters flew very low over my pool 😂
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17/09/2024

Beinn Enaiglair, near Ullapool, Sunday 22/9/24. Join me for this lovely walk, mostly on good stalkers tracks, although with some bog to start /finish. Great viewpoint! 3 places remaining, £50pp incl car share from Easter Ross if needed, and cake at the end of the day.

09/09/2024

Day out with family and friends today, Cul Mòr with my dad (in his 80s) and one of his friends from the USA. I'm glad to say the weather performed perfectly, with this morning's clouds clearing as we left the car, and coming in again as we drove away, with mostly blue skies and sunshine in between, showing off Assynt at its best. It was pretty breezy, and in contrast to Glen Etive, duvet jacket hat and gloves were required. A grand day out, with ginger, pineapple and chocolate cake back at the van.

08/09/2024

Does it ever rain in Glen Etive?

Another trip of wall to wall sunshine and hot hot hot temperatures

Beinn Fionnlaidh on Friday after a slow drive down, with a nice breeze to keep us cool, an overnight park up at Glencoe ski area, and then the drive down Glen Etive again for our final Etive Munros.... Stob Coir' an Albannaich and Meall nan Eun. These are stunning mountains with very different characters. We walked up to the bealach rather than use the direct, straight up the front, route which seems to be 'recommended'; the advantage of going up the glen was regular access to water for us and the dog on the ascent....and boy was it needed! Beautiful pools in the river had me praying for similar on the descent route....and it didn't disappoint. What a delight it was to immerse in cool water on such a hot day....26⁰C in the glen at 5pm.

It would be fair to say Glen Etive was full on Saturday afternoon when we left, with every parking space and possible campsite by the river occupied, although we saw folk starting to do 'the midgie dance' as we left 😬😁

A slower drive home behind at first a (drunk? drugged?) driver at 25mph, slowing to a halt with any oncoming vehicles and then thick mist, with possibly the worst fish supper I have ever had (but it was badly needed food!) didn't mar what had been a fantastic 2 days

31/08/2024

Someone mentioned to me about using sheep wool for preventing/ treating blisters , so I did some research....might be worth collecting clean wool if you find it on your walks

Some people swear by using wool to prevent blisters, especially toe blisters. Let's find out how it works, which micron to use, how to apply it and more.